rejuvenatement – not retirement

In the neighborhood where we raised our children, there was a beautiful weeping willow in the front yard next door. Our children loved to have picnic lunches beneath its low bowing branches. Other times, all the children in the area gathered and played tag, running in and out of the green lacey-leafed cascading curtains, sometimes tripping on the roots that made the ground lumpy beneath its shade. Laughter abounded around the tree.

The only day it earned its name was the day the arborists came. They sawed it into pieces. Drilled out its heart-stump, and carted it all away. My children watched the scene in horror and cried their hurt that night as we sat at the dinner table. Mother nature wept her disappointment in a summer evening storm. Strands of weeping branches littered our street, until the street cleaner arrived early one morning and swept all evidence away.

Thursday is Open Link Night at dVerse, the virtual pub for poets. Gail is hosting and asks us to come imbibe some words and post one poem of our choice – no prompt given. We’re a friendly bunch. Come enjoy!

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32 thoughts on “Haibun of Bygones”

OH! I connect with your kids in this strong bit of writing, Lillian. You really abuse our hearts here – (that’s a good thing, as a poet). 🙂 Willow Weep For Me
My favorite willow memory is placing the leaves between my thumbs and ‘SQWEEEEE!’

I remember a tree that my dad cut down in the front yard of the farmhouse. He was afraid it would attract lightning and its needle like leaves were hard to walk on barefoot. We children didn’t want to see it go, but thinking back now as an adult he probably made the right choice.

I love the title, Lillian, and I always enjoy reading about your life and your family. And you know I love willows! But I’m annoyed at those tree murderers! I always keep a watchful eye on tree surgeons. Our two rowan trees were murdered with weed killer by a man who came to gravel over the parking area in front of our cottage and I’ve never forgiven him.The haiku says it all.

So glad you enjoyed, Kim. We had a similar thing happen (RE your rowan trees). We had a beautiful raspberry patch I’d nursed to fruition (pun intended) and our new neighbors decided to hire someone to chemically treat their lawn….you can guess what happened 😦
Sadly, the willow’s roots were clogging our neighbor’s sewers….but oh how we missed that tree!